Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) · National
Section 1What General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) publishes
2 awards annually
Amounts, dates and eligibility change between cycles. Always confirm on the provider's page before applying.
Section 2Deadline reminders
No fixed deadline posted.
Cycles like this change quietly. Leave your email and we'll flag date changes here and deadlines on other verified awards.
Section 3What this award leaves to fund
- This award
- $2,000
- Private certificatePilotBound national estimate
- − $18,025
- Left to fund
- $16,000
All six lenders in our comparison lend this much. Stack whatever else you can win first, then price only what is left.
Compare lenders →Section 4Who this is for
Open to U.S. high school seniors graduating in the current spring who have been accepted into an aviation-related degree program (including flight training, aviation management, aerospace engineering, or aviation maintenance) and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Section 5How to apply
- Read the full requirements on General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)'s official page. Applying is free.
- Line up the slow pieces early: recommendation letters, transcripts, and any medical or student pilot certificate the provider asks for.
- Write the essay with numbers, not passion: name your certificate goal, your school, your hours so far, and exactly what this award covers. Build your plan so every figure in the essay is real.
Section 6Price your school
Selection boards fund plans with a school and a number in them. Every figure below is what the school itself publishes, with the source and the date it was checked.
Local flight schools
1716 flight schools across 50 states, with the hourly rates each one publishes.
Accelerated academies
105 zero-to-career academies and the fixed program prices they publish.
Degree programs
51 aviation colleges, with tuition and flight fees summed into one estimate.
Section 7Also worth a look
Section 8Quick answers
How much is the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award?
The published award is $2,000. Two winners selected each year, each receiving $2,000 USD. One application cycle covers multiple awards (2 awards annually).
When is the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award deadline?
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) doesn't publish fixed dates for this award. Annual; 2026 deadline was April 24; next cycle expected spring 2027.
Who is eligible for the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award?
Open to U.S. high school seniors graduating in the current spring who have been accepted into an aviation-related degree program (including flight training, aviation management, aerospace engineering, or aviation maintenance) and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
How do I apply for the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award?
Apply for free on General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)'s official page. There is no application fee, and no legitimate aviation scholarship charges one or asks for your Social Security number. Have your essay, recommendation letters, and any required certificates ready before the window opens.